"Societé d'Etudes" du Canal de Suez Groupe Anglais London, 23rd Nov 1847 Dear Colleague; Mr. R. Stephenson having been absent, it was only yesterday that he received your esteemed letter of the 10th instant. At his desire, I wrote to you on the 15th instant. It is with extreme regret that he observes, that it will be out of your power to proceed to Egypt in March; and as it seems hardly probable, that any period could be named, when persons having such important Works under construction as those directed by yourself, Mr. Talabot, and Mr. Robert Stephenson, can all proceed together to Egypt - it strikes him, that should it meet your views, the suggestion made by Mr Enfantin might be followed Nous Negrelli, Ingénieur & Chef des Chemins de Fer de l'Etat à Vienne.

by your availing of your early leisure, to proceed to Egypt- where you would see Mr. Enfantin Linant and that Mr. Rob. Stephenson& Mr. Talabot on their return from that Country, in the Spring of next year, could make a detour to Vienna, in Order to concert final measures with You. On his return, Mr. R. Stephenson found that the Works of his Bridge had not progressed quite so rapidly as he had anticipated - and though everything appears satisfactory, some little time longer must elapse before it can be left by him. I now allude to the Conway Bridge - this will be followed by the Britannia Bridge over the Menai Strait; so that he finds it will be quite impossible for him to leave England so soon

so soon as he expected, when we had the pleasure of seeing you at Vienna. I repeat, that he regrets extremely, that anything should prevent your all proceeding to Egypt together - but this disappointment appears unavoidable. As yet, Mr. R. Stephenson has not had  leisure, fully to go through your Report, and plans, but he desired me to express his appreciation of the care with which they appear to have been got up. Begging you will accept the expression of his,& my own kind regard, I remain Dear Colleague, Yours very devotedly & Obediently  Edward F. Starbuck We yesterday remitted the Third Instalment of [?]: 10,000:- to Paris, on account of the English Groupe

London 23 Nov. 1847. Starbuck